Riccardo Tisci’s most recent interpretation of Givenchy Pre-Sping 2014 Men’s was quite an unexpected exposition filled with visual appealing camouflage, florals, and mixed neon colours that were deem to be quite mischievous. The playful ‘Favelas’ proposition highlights an array of botanic prints, concluding the collection to be part feminine crossover with masculine theme, some say that much of the botanic prints were a mere reference towards the late ‘Birds of Paradise‘ from Givenchy Spring Summer 2012. There were also rumours that the following Givenchy Spring Summer 2014 men’s will share similar concept like the ‘Birds of Paradise‘, except a little more feminism will be added.

Despite the lack of interest on the upcoming Givenchy Fall Winter 2013 men’s collection, due to depletion of Tisci’s master print-making – as always when it comes to Fall Winter in men’s Givenchy, at the far end of this seasons offers much more wild prints that will resonate Givenchy fanatics. Here are a small sample of Givenchy Pre-Spring 2014 men’s collection, it is a little sneak peek collection that has yet to be released sometime next year, around January-April 2014. As you can tell, majority of the design elements were inspired from precedent seasons, such as the favourable Givenchy Shark & Mermaid (PFW12), Birds of Paradise (SS12), Madonna (SS13), Minotaur (FW12), Crown of Thrones (FW10) has all came back into action for Pre-Spring 2014.

This is as rare as you can get on eBay, brand new with original box. This pair of Prada runway shoes were only made as an early prototype before the main production of the commercial version during Spring Summer 2011. There is significant difference between the runway and commercial version, in terms of height, width and design. This particular oxford style is impossible to be found in any Prada stores for now. Prada still manufactures the brogue version with the same height as the runway shoes, however, the width is not the same, so as the runway version which has a Prada Sport sole. They sort of improvise the height and design base on the feedback from Spring Summer 2011 commercial version, the current available version in store which are price at $1190 AUD, but has a thinner width compared to the runway and commercial version from Fall Winter 2010, Spring Summer 2011.

My Prada Spring Summer 2011 Runway Oxford and Brogues Espadrilles Creepers. I was lucky enough to buy one from Rakuten Japan last year, so as the right pair Brogues from a Prada manager who was kind enough to sell them to me (read more).

Another fine example from Prada, i’m afraid to say that this eBay deal is so good that I was about to purchase them last night, without informing you guys about it of course, hahaha. But after careful consideration, I won’t be touching it even at this price. Don’t get me wrong, I love them a lot, but then again I can’t seem to accept the Golf soles, they are impractical for tarmac and would make lots of sound to attract even more attention. Even if I bought them, it wouldn’t be the right time for me to wear, as fashion here is quite conservative in Melbourne. If I live in Tokyo, I would definitely get these and wear them out for good, it depends which lifestyle you want to live to wear such shoes. I admit, I am not brave enough to wear these out.

Take note, that this shoe size runs slightly bigger. I am a size 43-43.5 but I could fit in Prada size 8-8.5, 42-42.5. So this particular pair on eBay would be around 45-45.5 if not mistaken. They are very comfortable, I doubt anyone would regret buying them.

Not every men gets to experience wearing thigh high boots in their life. This was a brave step by Riccardo Tisci during Fall Winter 2011, you would be surprise there is actually demand out there for these extreme eccentric boots. The last time I saw one which went on sale was from Koji Wang, some guy who works for the fashion industry in Lane Crawford who sold me a Prada Spring Summer 2011 Multi-colour Stripe Sweater, as seen on my profile picture there >>>. Koji had the exact size as the one currently on eBay, in a size 41 as well, but he sold it on bid in used condition for only $1059.99. The current one on eBay is also on bid, but for $2700 instead in brand new condition. Not to mention, someone has already place a bid on it. So for whoever out there who always wanted this pair of thigh high boots from Givenchy, this could be your last chance forever to buy one brand new. It would definitely be worth a collector’s item even if you don’t wear them. I could imagine it being in a museum some day.

Sean Godard discusses how he manage to get hold a pair of Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 Rottweiler Thigh High Boots with Andrew Mukamal. They are both wearing Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise collection.

I can’t seem to describe in words just how much I love this collection. When I first saw the Givenchy SS12 Birds of Paradise during Fashion Week a year ago, I was doubtful that I would find anything that I like since the whole collection looks exactly as what Riccardo Tisci did in the past few seasons but only did a few tweaks on the collection and added a new print design. It was disappointing for me at that time, since I had to stay up and watch it live at midnight in Australia and that I did not find anything that truly inspires me or has attracted any of my attention.

Source: drblogspot.blogspot.com (Trying on a Oversize M – XXL in Isetan 伊勢丹 Shinjuku, pull’s excess from behind to see how it looks if it’s fitted.)

But as I journey through Spring Summer this year, the more I see the Givenchy Birds of Paradise, the more I want it. My love at first sight on the Birds of Paradise occurred during the Easter holidays when I was traveling in Tokyo with my girlfriend. The aqua (mint) green Givenchy Birds of Paradise Mirror T-Shirt was folded and displayed on a table, it was very distinctive since it was the only merchandise in store with the full-on Birds of Paradise print. Immediately in my mind I was desperate and ready to purchase, but the friendly store assistant in Isetan Shinjuku told me it was not for sale. The Birds of Paradise T-Shirt was just a display unit/ an early preview for customers like me to try and pre-order.

Official launch of the Birds of Paradise collection in Japan was 12 April 2012, 4 days ahead and my flight home was the next day. There was only one display piece in a Oversize M, which is equivalent to a regular XXL! Although I swum in it, seeing it in person made the print much more desirable. After that experience, I told myself if I ever get the chance to buy one, I will.

The success of Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 Rottweiler print has drawn huge attention in the fashion world. Some clothing retailers and manufacturers in China oversee this opportunity to replicate the famous Givenchy Rottweiler print, and sell them at 4 times cheaper than the original retail price. Consumers can easily acquire these replicated Givenchy Rottweiler T-Shirt from the infamous website, iOffer.com. iOffer.com is an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods worldwide. The retail concept behind iOffer is similar to eBay, except there is no buyer protection policy supported by Paypal.

Since the beginning of this year, I spotted a number of fake Givenchy Birds of Paradise T-Shirts on iOffer that were selling around $80-$130. These replicated version has a dull contrast, the BOP print is distorted and looks like it was finished with colour pencils. I am assuming the original print was ripped off from the internet via Barneys New York or LuisaViaRoma where they did an early pre-order of the $785 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt.

How do you spot an authentic and a fake Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt?

The authentic version only comes in Columbian Fit, also know as Oversize. There is no Slim Fit or Regular Fit for Birds of Paradise. The smallest size of the authentic Birds of Paradise version is XS, Extra Small; equivalent to true size L. There is 3 colours for sale, Black, Ivory and Aqua (Mint). The authentic digital print on the T-Shirt is bold and rich, there is a lot of colour density in the print. The Birds of Paradise print looks sharp from a distance. It is very distinctive and attractive to ones eye.

The original measurements of the authentic version are:-

Source: Riccardi Boston

Extra Small Measurements:

Shoulders – 19 inch., Armpit – 23 inch., Length 27 inch.

Small Measurements:

Shoulders – 20 inch., Armpit – 24.5 inch., Length 27.5 inch.

Medium Measurements:

Shoulders – 20.5 inch., Armpit – 24 inch., Length 29.5 inch.

Large Measurements:

Shoulders – 21.5 inch., Armpit – 24.5 inch., Length 30.5 inch.

FAKE

The replica version comes in Slim Fit and the popular size is M, Medium. There is no Oversize fit for this replicated version. The only available sizes are M, L, and XL. There are two colours of the replicated Birds of Paradise, which is White and Black – Recent Copy. The print is distorted and the Birds of Paradise does not have a strong vivid structure like the authentic version. It looks flimsy, as if the print is about to collapse from far. The colours are very dull, and looks like it was coloured with pencil. The Givenchy signature black star on the left shoulder is cropped as a result of defective replication in design (Take notice on all the replica versions).

The original measurements of the replica version are:-

Source: iOffer

Medium Measurements:

Shoulders – 42 cm, Armpits – 96 cm, Length – 70 cm

Large Measurements:

Shoulders – 44 cm, Armpits – 100 cm, Length – 72 cm

Extra Large Measurements:

Shoulders – 46 cm, Armpits – 104 cm, Length – 74 cm

Beware there are many replica versions of the Givenchy Birds of Paradise now on eBay. Most of these are on auction to tempt potential buyers into bidding. Do not be tempted to bid on it as they are not authentic. If you are one of the unfortunate buyer who bought a replica version recently from eBay, you may still have a chance to file a case on Paypal and claim for full refund. Paypal and eBay has strong policies that protects buyers against replicated designer goods in eBay.

If you are unsure about purchasing on eBay, try other websites like Barneys New York, Mr Porter, Riccardi Boston and Bergdorf Goodman. BG has sales now on the Birds of Paradise T-Shirt ($471 mark down from $785). Generally I would advice everyone to avoid buying high-end designer goods on eBay as there are many replicated versions floating around the website. If you file for a Paypal claim, it will take around 30-45 days to get back your money back, it would not be worth the trouble. And most of the time, Paypal requires the buyer to pay for return postage fees which will occur to further lost on the buyer.

The imitation copy has printing defects, I presume that there is only one manufacturer out there producing these fake Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt.

These images below are taken from eBay. I have disclosed the seller’s information, these sellers has a range of 10-300 positive feedback. Although they seem trustworthy they are not. You can easily tell they are not genuine by careful observation. The listing states that they are 100% Authentic when they are not, I have highlighted the main errors.

Other imitation versions produced elsewhere in the world. These versions has less obvious printing error but devastating colours.

Below here is a imitation version found from a Canadian seller on eBay.

Below here, various imitation versions found from an Italian seller on eBay.

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WEEKLY WISHLIST

My unaccomplished endless mission to acquire the highly desirable pieces from leading luxury fashion houses. Look no further as I have picked the best out of a winning selection of most coveted menswear. I believe when you buy a piece from one of the labels, you are not just buying well-made fashion, you are buying works of art and culture, and that makes it a true investment.

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